Ultima Online was released in 1997. Already in 1999 a sequel was announced, called first Ultima Online 2, then renamed Ultima World Online: Origins; it was cancelled in 2001. Then the Ultima X: Odyssey MMORPG was announced, but also got cancelled before release in 2004.

There are currently rumors about EA having a "secret project" for another Ultima Online sequel. Which would be the third. I wouldn't get up my hopes too high. This is not likely to be a real MMORPG or in any way a spiritual successor to Ultima Online. We are more likely to just get a cheap knockoff Facebook game further exploiting the Ultima brand, after the already shameful Lords of Ultima Free2Play browser strategy game.
- posted by Tobold Stoutfoot @ 8:51 AM Permanent Link
Links to this post

Comments:

I can't imagine that the Ultima brand has any real value these days because the brand has been neglected for too long. Sure old timers and die-hards revere it but I suspect that the average World of Warcraft player couldn't care less about Ultima and the average Facebook gamer has never even heard of it.

Do you think that "rock solid brands" are more of a risk to turn into a successful MMO? Is unknown like Rift safer in some ways?

I can see why someone would make a sequel to UO or another dead/dying MMO simply because the lore is already there. If you own the rights to it & can develop a good game from it I personally don't see it as a negative. You'd get interest from old players. New players who know nothing about the game are thrown into a world that's already extremly rich in "history".

"Do you think that "rock solid brands" are more of a risk to turn into a successful MMO? Is unknown like Rift safer in some ways?"

New IPs like Rift allow developers more creative freedom. But ultimately you need someone to fund your studio and investors like big global brands with an established base and guaranteed sales. Would DCUO and STO stood alone as Hero Quest and Spaceship Universe?